A lost summer.
The drugs.
Oh, God, the drugs.
He froze and squeezed his eyes shut, shaking as those horrific memories flashed through his mind.
Lying.
Pretending.
Running.
“Jag?”
He blinked at the repeated sound of his name.
“You okay, kid?”
He looked up into Mac’s face. The large dancer was arm in arm with an attractive femme guy.
“I’m fine,” Jag lied through a fake smile, shaking off the memories.
“You look kinda spaced out. You’re not sick, are you?”
“No… just tired, I guess.”
Mac’s eyebrows raised a little. “Michael working you too hard, is he?”
Jag laughed nervously. “No.” He shifted his gaze to Mac’s partner. “Aren’t you going to introduce us?” It was an all too obvious diversion, but it was the best he could manage in his distracted state.
“He’s useless, isn’t he?” the femme guy asked. He held out his hand, which Jag shook. “I’m Russel, his better half.”
Mac snorted. “Only in your dreams, cupcake.”
“Honey, you can’t keep up with my dreams,” Russel said.
Jag chuckled as the couple traded banter for a few seconds, before remembering that he was standing in front of them.
“We’re heading home to cook Sunday dinner,” Mac said. “You’re welcome to join us.”
“Mac always overcooks,” Russel said. “And I get so bored of eating leftovers. Really, you’d be doing me a favour.”
“No… thanks. I’ve got food that needs eating.” He realised it was a lame excuse, considering he was standing in a supermarket with a basket that was half full of food.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to take them up on their offer. It actually sounded really nice. He already knew Mac was a great guy, and Russel seemed really welcoming. However, going over and having lunch would be a dangerous step from trading superficial banter in the changing room. A sit-down dinner tended to lend itself to asking questions about each other’s lives, which was definitely something Jag wasn’t interested in, for two reasons. Getting to know someone that well generally led to friendship, and he wouldn’t be able to answer any of their questions; the less people knew about him, the safer he was. Declining had been his only real option.
“Maybe another time,” Mac said after a slight pause.
“Maybe.” Jag felt guilty about his noncommittal answer, but there wasn’t much else he could say.
“It was nice to meet you,” Russel said. “Mac told me there was a cute new kid in town, but I didn’t realise you were sohot.”
“Hey!” Mac complained.
“I can look.” Russel rolled his eyes dramatically and then blew Jag a kiss. “You’re just adorable.”
“Ignore him,” Mac said.
